The Women’s Report 2015: Equal Pay for Equal Value, published by the South African Board for People’s Practice has revealed something we all knew, but never knew the extent of.

Women in South Africa are, on average, are earning 15% less for doing the same jobs as men. The gender gap is a reality across the world and while the reasons for the gender pay gap varies, it remains startling.

The report notes that there are also issues with career breaks due to motherhood. Companies are less likely to invest in women who might have to take maternity leave .

“If you are not visible at work, or your CV has a gap that is non-work-related, your prospects of earning a high salary on return to work, irrespective of your skills, are not outstanding,” explains author of the report, Professor Anita Bosch from the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management.

While companies favour people who work disproportionately long hours, that isn’t always a justification for the pay gap. Women’s hourly rate is often also lower than men for the exact same work.

While experience as a result of historic inequality in the workplace does play a role, the report notes that “experience” is often used as an easy getout for why one person is being paid more than another.